CALFEM for Python

Documentation

https://calfem-for-python.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Manuals

Updated manual: https://calfem-python-manual.readthedocs.io/en/latest/

Original manual: manual.pdf

Manual for with improved mesh: manual-mesh-module.pdf

Background

The computer program CALFEM is written for the software MATLAB and is an interactive tool for learning the finite element method. CALFEM is an abbreviation of ”Computer Aided Learning of the Finite Element Method” and been developed by the Division of Structural Mechanics at Lund University since the late 70’s.

Why CALFEM for Python?

While both the MATLAB and Python versions of CALFEM are open-source (MIT Licensed), the key difference lies in the environments they operate in. MATLAB is not open-source and requires expensive licenses (for commercial use), which can be a barrier for many users. In contrast, Python is a free, open-source programming language, making CALFEM for Python more accessible and cost-effective for a broader audience, including those in academic, personal, or commercial settings.

CALFEM for Python is released under the MIT license, which enables its use in open-source as well as commercial projects.

Installation

Install CALFEM for Python using

pip install calfem-python

This also installs the required dependencies NumPy, SciPy, Matplotlib, tabulate and the Gmsh Python module used for mesh generation. No separate Gmsh installation is needed.

Visualisation

calfem.vis (an alias for calfem.vis_mpl) draws geometries, meshes and results using Matplotlib. calfem.vis_plotly provides the same functions as interactive plotly figures. The former visvis based module is available as calfem.vis_visvis, but is deprecated.

Optional dependencies

Some modules need additional packages, which can be installed as extras:

Extra	Installs	Needed for
`plotly`	plotly	Interactive plots with `calfem.vis_plotly`
`io`	meshio	Mesh import/export with `calfem.io`
`vedo`	vedo	3D visualisation with `calfem.vis_vedo`
`vtk`	vtk	Visualisation with `calfem.vis_vtk`
`pyvtk`	pyvtk	VTK export with `calfem.utils.export_vtk_stress`
`qtpy`	qtpy	The geometry editor `calfem.editor`, using an already installed Qt binding
`pyside6`	qtpy, PySide6	The geometry editor `calfem.editor` with PySide6
`pyqt6`	qtpy, PyQt6	The geometry editor `calfem.editor` with PyQt6
`visvis`	visvis	The deprecated `calfem.vis_visvis`

For example:

pip install calfem-python[plotly,io]

When using conda, install the Qt binding from conda-forge instead (e.g. conda install -c conda-forge pyside6) together with the qtpy extra. Mixing a pip installed Qt binding with Qt libraries from conda can fail with DLL load errors.

References

Forsman, K, 2017. VisCon: Ett visualiseringsverktyg för tvådimensionell konsolidering i undervisningssammanhang - http://www.byggmek.lth.se/fileadmin/byggnadsmekanik/publications/tvsm5000/web5225.pdf
Edholm, A., 2013. Meshing and visualisation routines in the Python version of CALFEM. - http://www.byggmek.lth.se/fileadmin/byggnadsmekanik/publications/tvsm5000/web5187.pdf
Ottosson, A., 2010. Implementation of CALFEM for Python - http://www.byggmek.lth.se/fileadmin/byggnadsmekanik/publications/tvsm5000/web5167.pdf
Eriksson, K, 2021. CALFEM Geometry Editor - An interactive geometry editor for CALFEM
Åmand, A, 2022. Development of visualisation functions for CALFEM for Python

Metadata

Release files for calfem-python 3.6.16

For a detailed explanation of source distributions (sdists) and built distributions (wheels), please see the package formats documentation.

Source distribution (sdist)

Source distribution for calfem-python 3.6.16
File	Size	Uploaded
calfem_python-3.6.16.tar.gz	259.9 kB	Oct 4, 2026	Details

Built distribution (wheel)

Table of built distributions (wheels) for calfem-python 3.6.16
File	Interpreter	ABI	Platform	Reset
calfem_python-3.6.16-py3-none-any.whl 232.2 kB Oct 4, 2026	Python 3	none	any	Details

Total release size: 492.1 kB

Release files / calfem_python-3.6.16.tar.gz

Download URL	calfem_python-3.6.16.tar.gz
Size	259.9 kB
Tags	Source
SHA-256 checksum How to use checksums	`98ab4d606ba1d113274be199bf2233321484349fb8a5a37b2c4cd42fe9c00fbb`
BLAKE2b-256 checksum How to use checksums	`e54b864d37e47e2feff3807003239c11061ca37bae92795ee5e26e84daa130a1`
Upload date	Oct 4, 2026
Uploaded using Trusted Publishing? What is trusted publishing?	No
Uploaded via	`pdm/2.29.2 CPython/3.13.5 Windows/11`

Release files / calfem_python-3.6.16-py3-none-any.whl

Download URL	calfem_python-3.6.16-py3-none-any.whl
Size	232.2 kB
Tags	Python 3
SHA-256 checksum How to use checksums	`b4849cba03b373c309ed381a6d644a17f73af1b6d9eb330bb1adc5041c6859f6`
BLAKE2b-256 checksum How to use checksums	`32db2ec38b3af597c7d8d576378828dd563c82088a3c3565c634e3ac65bf15de`
Upload date	Oct 4, 2026
Uploaded using Trusted Publishing? What is trusted publishing?	No
Uploaded via	`pdm/2.29.2 CPython/3.13.5 Windows/11`